Comparative nasal airflow with loratadine-pseudoephedrine and fluticasone nasal spray for allergic rhinitis
Charlene C Ng, Daniel Romaikin, Lisa M Steacy, David A Stevens, Terry J Walker, Daniel E Adams, Anne K Ellis, Charlene C Ng, Daniel Romaikin, Lisa M Steacy, David A Stevens, Terry J Walker, Daniel E Adams, Anne K Ellis
Abstract
Background: Although it is known that oral antihistamine-pseudoephedrine combination tablets have a faster onset than intranasal corticosteroid sprays in the treatment of allergic rhinitis after the first dose, the magnitude of change has not been measured in a comparative manner. Furthermore, the sensation of sprayed liquid in the nose may lead patients to mistakenly believe that intranasal steroid sprays work instantly.
Objective: To evaluate, numerically, nasal airflow changes provided by a single dose of loratadine-pseudoephedrine tablet (LP) and fluticasone propionate nasal spray (FP) in participants experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms, including nasal congestion.
Methods: This single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluated objective nasal airflow changes in patients with a documented sensitivity to ragweed pollen. Participants were randomized to receive 1 of 4 treatment sequences, and their peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) was measured in a span of 4 hours after pollen exposure in an environmental exposure unit.
Results: Average change in PNIF was 31% with LP in the course of the study, significantly greater than with placebo and FP (12% and 15%, respectively; P < .001). Nevertheless, FP did not produce a significant change compared with its placebo. At hour one post-dose, LP had a clinically significant 31% increase in PNIF, whereas FP only yielded an 8.6% increase (P < .001). Measurable nasal airflow improvements are associated with the opening of nasal passages, allowing congested patients to breathe more freely.
Conclusion: A single dose of LP quickly and significantly (P < .001) improved nasal airflow after ragweed pollen challenge in an environmental exposure unit. Comparatively, FP did not display this same benefit.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03443843.
Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: PubMed